Chapter 69: Still Want to Go to School?

Jiang Xiangxiang silently took two steps back, feeling a little constrained. She wasn’t used to being so close to them.

It just felt uncomfortable.

Lu Jianshen calmly walked to her side, protecting her, and thoughtfully introduced, “This is your third uncle, this is your aunt’s husband, this is your cousin’s husband, this is your aunt…”

He pointed to each person as he named them.

Jiang Xiangxiang listened, dumbfounded, feeling her head grow large. Sorting out these relationships seemed quite difficult.

She needed to review children’s rhymes, like “My father’s father is called grandfather…”

and so on.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to figure it out.

Lu Jianshen didn’t push her. If she could remember, fine; if not, it didn’t matter.

Anyway, they wouldn’t interact much in the future. Once they went to join the army, they wouldn’t come back often.

Lu Jianshen had a vague plan in mind: they would eventually leave this place, not just the two of them, but also Jiang Chengshan, and Lu’s parents.

Although it was difficult for now, they would eventually wait for the policy to relax. It shouldn’t be a big problem.

Lu Jianshen had selfish motives, but he didn’t intend to tell Jiang Xiangxiang about them.

As long as the policy didn’t change, they would have to keep their heads down.

They absolutely couldn’t have any conflict with those in power; otherwise, it would be tantamount to suicide.

So, it was better to be honest.

Seeing the affectionate couple, everyone refrained from interfering. After all, Lu Jianshen had always been cold and aloof towards everyone before.

It was rare to see him actively protecting a girl.

They couldn’t ruin this, or Tian Xiu’e would definitely come after them.

After a brief greeting, everyone dispersed to do their own thing.

The men went inside to chat, while the women went to the kitchen to help.

Lin Shufen finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, they hadn’t put all the work on her shoulders, otherwise, she would have cried.

Jiang Xiangxiang turned her head and saw Lin Shufen supporting her waist, looking extremely tired. She couldn’t help but find it funny.

This was just the beginning, and she was already exhausted.

Lin Shufen froze at her gaze, not daring to say a word. She quickly got down to work, diligently and seriously.

She looked timid, but quite cute.

Jiang Xiangxiang looked around. Seeing only elderly people, with almost no young people present, she felt curious.

She looked up and saw Lu Jianshen with his back to her.

Jiang Xiangxiang reached out and poked him in the waist. Seeing no reaction, she poked him again.

Lu Jianshen stiffened, feeling a little lightheaded. Sensing her intention to continue, he subconsciously grabbed her hand in his.

Their hands clasped together. Jiang Xiangxiang felt as if she had been burned.

She tried to pull her hand back, but Lu Jianshen, having finally succeeded, wouldn’t let go.

He not only held on, but tightened his grip.

Lu Jianshen was a little nervous, afraid she would be angry, but his expression remained calm and composed, as if he was very confident.

Jiang Xiangxiang glared at him, ignoring him, and asked, “Where’s your cousin Tingting?”

Lu Jianshen immediately deflated like a punctured balloon. “I really don’t have anything to do with her. I’ve barely met her a few times. It’s all my aunt’s wishful thinking…”

Jiang Xiangxiang scoffed, “I know, I was just asking. It’s not just her; your other brothers and sisters aren’t here either. It’s strange, isn’t it?”

Since it was a family gathering, and the Lu family seemed sincere, the younger generation should have been present.

Lu Jianshen’s expression turned complex. “They’re mostly working. Either in the fields or at the mine.”

There’s a stone mine nearby, discovered a few years ago. People from above are overseeing it, mining day and night.

Mostly girls are in the fields, earning work points to support their families. The boys are all at the mine, working to earn extra money.

Hearing this, Jiang Xiangxiang felt a strange sadness. She hadn’t seen many people her age since she arrived.

Not only that, but from the original owner’s memories, she had done all the farm work at home.

If she didn’t do it, Ye Meiping and Jiang Rou would do even less, so the family had been relying on Jiang Chengshan for years.

Thinking about this made her teeth itch. She had been too lenient at the police station; she should have killed them directly.

That way, it would have been over, and she wouldn’t have to worry about anything.

Lu Jianshen felt the topic was getting heavy. After a moment of hesitation, he said, “This is the current situation. We don’t know when the college entrance examination will be… Xiangxiang, if that day comes, will you still want to go to school?”

Jiang Xiangxiang raised an eyebrow. “Yes. If I go, will you support me?”

Lu Jianshen’s eyes softened. “Of course. Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you.”

He was happy that his wife had such progressive ideas.

Jiang Xiangxiang wasn’t thinking about progress or not. It’s just that she had no choice. As he said, this is the current situation. They would always be swept along by society, with no right or opportunity to refuse.

So, rather than passively waiting to be eliminated, it was better to take the initiative and seize every opportunity.

Jiang Xiangxiang wanted to lie flat, but only under certain conditions. Before, she didn’t have the opportunity to make something of herself, so it was fine.

Now, reborn with the space, she certainly didn’t want to just drift along.

Lin Shufen came out and saw the two of them looking lovingly at each other. She felt her composure falter. It seemed they were supervising while she was working herself to death.

That was a bit too much. It was infuriating.

Lin Shufen became anxious, “Come and serve the dishes! You’re so grown up, and you have no sense! If you get married…”

Lu Jianshen coldly glared at her. “Third Aunt!”

Lin Shufen’s expression froze. “Yes, I know. I’m just an aunt, not your mother, so I can’t control your business!”

Her words were said reluctantly and her tone sounded unpleasant.

Seeing her behavior, Jiang Xiangxiang didn’t hesitate to retort, “Since you know you can’t control it, then don’t. Why say that? Third Aunt(Aunt San), if someone doesn’t know better, they’d think you’re planning to secretly cook on the kang. You’re meddling where you don’t belong.”